A Debtor’s Courtroom

On Wednesday, Human Rights Watch revealed a report highlighting the failure of U.S. courts to protect poor defendants from debt buying agencies. The report argues that the courts should stop “rubber stamp[ing]” adjudications in favor of the agencies and instead should provide heightened scrutiny given the typical unfair practices found in these cases. The current system greatly disadvantages debtors, who are disproportionately from poor and underserved communities. There are also many issues with the court procedures in these cases, including the debt agencies having full representation while the defendants often have none. Additionally, the report found that many cases have no evidence or proof of the debt or that the defendants were even served.

This issue is related to human rights because it showcases due process rights and the right to a fair trial.